Clip assembly for standing seam roof panels

ABSTRACT

A continuous clip for connecting standing seam roof panels to roof support members has a first Z-shaped clip member and a second C-shaped clip member nested against the first clip member. Each clip member has an upright portion, an upper flange and a lower flange. The upper flanges of the clip members extend in opposite directions and are configured to fit within the channels formed by folded upper edges of the adjacent roof panels. The lower flanges are attached to the roof support under the roof panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates hold-down clips for connecting standingseam metal roof panels. More particularly, the present invention relatesto a continuous clip assembly designed to provide structural integrityof the seam connecting adjacent standing seam roof panels in buildings.

Large structures, such as warehouses, commercial, institutional, andindustrial buildings typically have large roofs that are secured to roofsupports or purlins. Large metal roof panels are pre-formed by foldingand crimping edges of metal sheeting and creating a panel ready forinterlocking with adjacent similarly-formed roof panels to form astanding seam. The seam is formed above the plane of the roof to preventleakage.

Conventionally, hold-down clips connectedges of the roof panels; theclips are mechanically attached by nails or screws to the purlins orother support structure. The nails or screws penetrate the roof purlinor other support structure particularly for “Tee panel” style standingseam roof that has a continuous clip.

Usually, a roofer installs a long row of C-shaped clips on the roof,then measures a pre-determined distance from the first row of clips andinstalls a second row of C-shaped clips. A roof panel is then “fishedin” between the clips. Since the roof panel is configured to fit rightlybetween the clips, the roof panel is slightly bowed in the center sothat the edges of the roof panel can engage the clips on opposite sidesof the panel. This 3-step process is laborious and time-consuming.

Further, to meet loading requirements, using an intermitted clip (singlepiece) the thickness of the roof panel must be increased or the span ofthe roof panel must be decreased by additional purlins inhurricane-prone areas. Either increases the costs associated with metalroofs.

The present invention contemplates elimination of drawbacks associatedwith conventional systems and methods and provision of a clip assemblyfor standing seam roof panels that can be used both in a newconstruction and in retrofitting. The clip assembly is designed forstandard roof with pre-formed metal roofing panels that would increasethe roof's resistance to winds by using a “continuous clip” in lieu of a“fixed clip” (single piece).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore an object of the present invention to provide a clipassembly for use with standing seam roof panels such as Tee style panel.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a continuous clipassembly for standing seam roof panels that allows elimination of atleast one step in the installation of the roof panels.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved through aprovision of a continuous clip for connecting standing seam roof panelsto roof support members has a first Z-shaped clip member and a secondC-shaped clip member nested against the first clip member.

Each clip member has an upright portion, an upper flange and a lowerflange. The upper flanges of the clip members extend in oppositedirections and are configured to fit within the channels formed byfolded upper edges of the adjacent roof panels. The lower flanges areattached to the roof support under the roof panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts aredesignated by like numerals, and wherein

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the clip assembly according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clip assembly of the presentinvention installed with roof panels.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the profile of the clip assembly of the instantinvention with connected roof panels.

FIG. 4 is an end profile view of a Z-shaped member of the clip assembly.

FIG. 5 is an end profile view of a C-shaped member of the clip assembly.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the clip assembly of the present inventioninstalled with a roof panel and a clip fastener.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings in more detail, numeral 10 designates a clipassembly according to this invention. The clip assembly 10 comprises afirst clip member 12 and a second clip member 14. The first clip memberhas an elongated body with a generally Z-shaped cross-section. Thesecond clip member 14 has an elongated body with a generally C-shapedcross-section.

The first clip member 12 has an upright portion 16, an upper flange 18extending transversely to the upright portion 16 and a lower flange 20.The lower flange 20 has a first proximate part 22 unitary secured to theupright portion 16 and extending horizontally therefrom in a directionopposite to the direction of extension of the upper flange 18. The lowerflange 20 has a second middle part 24 unitary connected to the firstproximate part 22 and extending at an obtuse angle upwardly from thefirst proximate part 22.

A third distant part 26 of the lower flange 20 is unitary connected tothe second middle part 24 and forms a distant part of the lower flange20. The third distant part 26 is connected at an obtuse angle to a freeend of the middle part 24. The third distant part of the lower flange 20is oriented substantially parallel to the first proximate part 22, whilebeing vertically spaced apart from the first part 22. As can be seen inFIG. 4, the third distant part 26 extends at a vertical level higherthan the first proximate part 22 and the second middle part 24.

The second member 14 of the clip assembly comprises an upright portion30, an upper flange 32 secured to an upper end of the upright portion 30at a substantially right angle thereto, and a lower flange 34 secured toa lower end of the upright portion 30. The lower flange 34 of the secondmember 14 has a first proximate part 36 unitary secured to the uprightportion 30. Unlike the first proximate part 22 of the lower flange 20,the first part 36 of the lower flange 34 extends horizontally from theupright member 30 in a direction substantially parallel to the directionof extension of the upper flange 32. Similarly to the lower flange 20 ofthe first member 12, the lower flange 34 of the second member 14 has asecond middle part 38 unitary connected to the first proximate part 36and extending at an obtuse angle upwardly from the first proximate part36.

A third distant part 40 of the lower flange 34 is unitary connected tothe second middle part 38 and forms a distant part of the lower flange34. The third distant part 40 is connected at an obtuse angle to a freeend of the middle part 38. The third distant part of the lower flange 34is oriented substantially parallel to the first proximate part 36, whilebeing vertically spaced apart from the first part 36. As can be seen inFIG. 5, the third distant part 40 extends at a vertical level higherthan the first proximate part 36 and the second middle part 38.

FIG. 6 illustrates the first member 12 and the second member 14 joinedtogether. In one aspect of the invention, the upright portions 16 and 30are secured together by the so-called ‘button punch” 42 (FIG. 1) withpractically no gap between the upright portions. The button punch isused to indent the thickness of metal forming the upright portions 16and 30, forming a button or dimple that holds the first member 12 andthe second member together securely. The upright portions 16 and 30 arecontact with the clip members 12 and 14 are joined together. Such methodof securing the two members together makes a watertight fastening. Theclip members 12 and 14 be joined together at a manufacturing facilityand rolled to form a desired length to create a continuous clipassembly.

In the assembled configuration of FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, the first and secondclip members 12 and 14 are mated together. In this configuration, theupright portions 16 and 30 extend parallel to each other, the upperhorizontal flanges 18 and 32 extend in opposing directions forming a “T”with the upright portions, while the lower flanges 20 and 34 extend inthe same direction. As can be seen in greater detail in FIG. 7, thelower horizontal flange 34 of the second clip member 14 is positionedover the lower horizontal flange 20, with the proximate part 36 beingparallel to the proximate part 22, the middle part 38 being parallel tothe middle part 24, and the distant part 40 being parallel to the middlepart 26. The proximate parts 22 and 36 form a “dip” in the lower flanges20 and 34.

In one of the preferred embodiments, the longitudinal dimensions of theupright portion 16 of the first clip member 12 is at least slightlygreater than the longitudinal dimensions of the upright portion 30 ofthe second clip member 14. For instance, the upright portion 16 is about2.32″ (5.89 cm) in length, while the upright portion 30 is about 2.29″(5.82 cm) in length. The difference in length allows the second clipmember 14 to be “nested” in the angular position of the upright member16 and the lower flange 20 of the first clip member 12. The length ofthe upper flanges 18 and 32 can be about 0.5″ (1.27 cm), while thelongitudinal dimensions of the lower flange 20 of the first clip member12 is at least slightly greater than the longitudinal dimensions of thelower flange 34. In one of the embodiments, the lower flange 20 is about2.62″ (6.65 cm) in length, while the lower flange 34 is about 2.59″(6.58 cm) in length.

In one aspect of the invention, the clip member 12 and 14 are formed 24gauge Galvalume or stainless steel or galvanized material (0.0250″ or0.635 mm) in thickness. Of course, the above dimensions are exemplaryand will vary according to the preferred materials used for the roofpanels. The roof panels may be steel panels having 24 gauge (0.0322″ or0.027 mm) in thickness or more. The roof panels may be 16-18″ wide(40.64-45.72 cm).

As can be seen in FIG. 7, A fastening member 50 is used to attach thelower flanges 20 and 34 to a support structure 52, such as a purlin. Thefastening member 50, which can be a screw shown in the drawing, passesthrough aligned openings formed in the proximate parts 36 and 22 andinto the support member 52. In the preferred embodiment, two suchfasteners 50 are used for each support member.

During installation of the roof, the roofer first installs a row of clipassemblies 10 along the length of the roofing panels by attaching thecontinuous clip assembly 10 to the roof support 52 using fasteners 50.As can be seen in the drawings, each pre-formed standing seam roof panel60 has a predetermined width and length. It is made from a sheet metalwith upwardly turned opposing edges 62, 63 (standing seams). The edges62 and 64 are folded to form a generally U-shaped channel 64 and 65,respectively. The clip assembly 12 is configured to have the upperflanges 18 and 32 fit into the channels 64 and 65 of the adjacent roofpanels 60 and 60 a.

Once the roofer installs the clip assemblies 10 along one line on theroof supports 52, the roofer installs a roof panel 60 or 60 a. Theinstallation can proceed from left to right or from right to left, asdesired. For the purposes of explanation, it is assumed that the rooferfirst installs the panel 60. The roofer forces the roof panel 60 intoengagement with the clip assembly 10 by moving the upper edge 62 overthe upper flange 32 of the second clip member 14. The roof panel 60 ispositioned above the lower flanges 20 and 40, as shown in FIG. 7. Thedistant portions 26 and 40 of the clip members 12 and 14 may or may nottouch the underside of the roof panel 60. When the distant portions 26and 40 contact the underside of the roof panels they provide additionalstrength and rigidity to the roof panels.

The roofer then positions the second roof panel 60 a and causes theupper edge 63 to move over the upper flange 18 of the first clip member12. A batten cap 68 can then be positioned over the clip assembly 10 andthe edges 62, 63 of the adjacent roof panels 60 and 60 a, closing theareas of connection between the roof panels and the clip assemblies 10.The installation of the continuous clip assemblies 10 and the roofpanels 60 continues until the entire roof is covered with the roofpanels.

A distinct advantage of the instant invention that a human error inmeasuring the distance between parallel clips is minimized. The rooferdoes not need to install the second continuous clip until the secondroof panel is in place and engaged with the first row of clips. The stepof fishing in of the roof panels is eliminated altogether since the roofpanels are installed in sequence following the installation of onecontinuous clip assembly 10. The installation of the roof panels isperformed in one direction, with no pre-measuring required, no fishingand no bowing up of the panels to make the panel fit between the twoclips. This procedure significantly decreases the time and labor neededfor roof installation or retrofitting.

The fastening members for the clips are all installed before the roofpanels are placed over the roof. As a result, the roof panel is notpenetrated and the possibility of a rusted hole in the roof iseliminated.

The continuous clip assembly of the present invention is preferablyformed of a length matching the roof panels (or any length), whichallows the clip assembly to be attached continuously at pre-determinedlocations as opposed to certain attachment points as used withintermitted one piece clips. Such design significantly improves windresistance of the roof structure.

Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of the presentinvention without departing from the spirit thereof. I, therefore, praythat my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A clip assembly for connecting a standing seam roof panel to a roofsupport member in which a roof panel has upwardly turned opposing edges,each edge formed a generally U-shaped channel, the clip assemblycomprising: a first clip member having a first clip upright portion, afirst clip upper flange secured to an upper end of the first clipupright portion and extending transversely outwardly from the first clipupper portion in a first direction, and a first clip lower flangesecured to a lower end of the first clip upright portion and extendingin a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction; anda second clip member having a second clip upright portion secured inparallel to the first clip upright portion, a second clip lower flangesecured to a lower end of the second clip upright portion and extendingtransversely outwardly from the second clip upright portion in adirection substantially parallel to the second direction of the firstclip lower flange, and a second clip upper flange secured to an upperend of the second clip upright portion and extending in a directionsubstantially opposite to the first direction of extension of the firstclip upright portion.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first clipupper flange is configured to fit within the U-shaped channel of a roofpanel and the second clip upper flange is configured to fit within theU-shaped channel of an adjoining roof panel.
 3. The assembly of claim 1,wherein each of the first clip lower flange and the second clip lowerflange comprises a first proximate part secured to a respective uprightportion and extending at a generally right angle thereto, a secondmiddle part unitary connected to the first proximate part and extendingat a generally obtuse angle to the first proximate part, and a thirddistant part unitary connected to the middle part and extending at agenerally obtuse angle to the middle part.
 4. The assembly of claim 3,wherein the distant parts of the first clip lower flange and the secondclip lower flange are oriented at a vertical level above the proximateparts of the first clip lower flange and the second clip lower flange.5. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the distant part of the second cliplower flange contacts an underside of the roof panel when installed. 6.The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first clip lower flange has alongitudinal dimension at least slightly greater than a longitudinaldimension of the second clip lower flange.
 7. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the first clip upright portion contacts the second clip uprightportion along substantially entire length thereof.
 8. The assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the clip assembly forms a continuous body extendingalong lengths of adjoining roof panels.
 9. The assembly of claim 1,wherein the first clip lower flange and the second clip lower flange iseach configured to extend in a generally parallel relationship to eachother.
 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first clip lower flangeand the second clip lower flange is each configured for attachment tothe roof support member below the roof panel.
 11. A clip assembly forconnecting a roof panel to a roof support member in which a roof panelhas upwardly turned opposing edges, each edge formed a generallyU-shaped channel, the clip assembly comprising: a generally Z-shapedfirst clip member having a first clip upright portion, a first clipupper flange secured to an upper end of the first clip upright portionand extending transversely outwardly from the first clip upper portionin a first direction, and a first clip lower flange secured to a lowerend of the first clip upright portion and extending in a seconddirection substantially opposite to the first direction; and a generallyC-shaped second clip member having a second clip upright portion securedin parallel to the first clip upright portion in a gapless relationship,a second clip lower flange secured to a lower end of the second clipupright portion and extending transversely outwardly from the secondclip upright portion in a direction substantially parallel to the seconddirection of the first clip lower flange, and a second clip upper flangesecured to an upper end of the second clip upright portion and extendingin a direction substantially opposite to the first direction ofextension of the first clip upright portion.
 12. The assembly of claim12, wherein the first clip upper flange is configured to fit within theU-shaped channel of a roof panel and the second clip upper flange isconfigured to fit within the U-shaped channel of an adjoining roofpanel.
 13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the first cliplower flange and the second clip lower flange comprises a firstproximate part secured to a respective upright portion and extending ata generally right angle thereto, a second middle part unitary connectedto the first proximate part and extending at a generally obtuse angle tothe first proximate part, and a third distant part unitary connected tothe middle part and extending at a generally obtuse angle to the middlepart.
 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the distant parts of thefirst clip lower flange and the second clip lower flange are oriented ata vertical level above the proximate parts of the first clip lowerflange and the second clip lower flange.
 15. The assembly of claim 13,wherein the distant part of the second clip lower flange contacts anunderside of the roof panel when installed.
 16. The assembly of claim11, wherein the first clip lower flange has a longitudinal dimension atleast slightly greater than a longitudinal dimension of the second cliplower flange.
 17. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the first clipupright portion contacts the second clip upright portion alongsubstantially entire length thereof.
 18. The assembly of claim 11,wherein the clip assembly forms a continuous body extending alonglengths of adjoining roof panels.
 19. The assembly of claim 1, whereinthe first clip lower flange and the second clip lower flange is eachconfigured to extend in a generally parallel relationship to each other.20. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the first clip lower flange andthe second clip lower flange is each configured for attachment to theroof support member below the roof panel.
 21. A method of installingstanding seam roof panels to a roof support member in which each roofpanel has upwardly turned opposing edges, each edge formed a generallyU-shaped channel, the method comprising the steps: (a) providing acontinuous clip assembly having a first generally Z-shaped clip memberand a second generally C-shaped clip member secured together to form aclip unit, said first clip member having a first clip upright portionand an upper flange oriented in a first direction, said second clipmember having a second clip upright portion fixedly attached to thefirst clip upright portion and a second clip upper flange oriented in adirection opposite to the first direction of the first clip upperflange; (b) installing said continuous clip assembly on the roof supportmember; (c) engaging a first roof panel with the continuous clipassembly by locking the first clip upper flange within the U-shapedchannel of the first roof member; (d) positioning a second roof panel ina parallel adjacent relationship to the first roof panel; (e) engagingthe second roof panel with the continuous clip assembly by locking thesecond clip upper flange within the U-shaped channel of the second roofmember; and (f) repeating steps (b) through (e) until installation ofall required roof panels is complete.
 22. The method of claim 21,wherein said first clip member is provided with a first clip lowerflange, said second clip member is provided with a second clip lowerflange, and wherein said first clip lower flange and the second cliplower flange extend in a generally parallel direction to each other. 23.The method of claim 22, wherein said step of installing the continuousclip assembly on the roof member comprises a step of fastening the firstclip lower flange and the second clip lower flange to the roof supportmember.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein each of the first clip lowerflange and the second clip lower flange comprises a first proximate partsecured to a respective upright portion and extending at a generallyright angle thereto, a second middle part unitary connected to the firstproximate part and extending at a generally obtuse angle to the firstproximate part, and a third distant part unitary connected to the middlepart and extending at a generally obtuse angle to the middle part. 25.The method of claim 22, wherein the distant parts of the first cliplower flange and the second clip lower flange are oriented at a verticallevel above the proximate parts of the first clip lower flange and thesecond clip lower flange.
 26. The method of claim 22, wherein the firstclip lower flange and the second clip lower flange is each configured toextend in a generally parallel relationship to each other.
 27. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the first clip lower flange and the secondclip lower flange is each configured for attachment to the roof supportmember below the roof panel.
 28. The method of claim 21, wherein thefirst clip upright portion and the second clip upright portion aresecured together in a parallel gapless relationship.
 29. The method ofclaim 21, wherein the first clip upright portion and the second clipupright portion are secured together by button punching.
 30. The methodof claim 21, wherein the clip assembly forms a continuous body extendingalong lengths of adjoining roof panels.